Type-writer cabinet



(No Model.)

J. R. FREEMAN.

TYPE WRITER CABINET.

Patented June 4, 1895;.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

JOHN R. FREEMANQOE WINCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

TYPE-WRITER CABINET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 540,428, dated June 4, 1895.

Application filed September 6, 1894:. Serial No. 522,234. (No model) T0 at whom itmay concern. 0

Be it known that 1, JOHN R. FREEMAN, of Winchester, county of .Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improve:

ment in Type-Writer Cabinets, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object the production of a cabinet adapted to be conveniently used either as an ordinary desk, or as a support for a typewriter or similar apparatus, the mechanism for moving the typewriter into operative position or for with drawingit and thereby transforming the cabinot into an ordinary desk being simple, strong, easilyoperated and occupying a small space.

In accordance therewith my invention consists, in a cabinet for typewriter or the like,

of a main and an auxiliary shelf, a commonrest for either shelfwhen eX-posedto be used, an independent guide roll extended from the sides of the cabinet and over which the auxiliary shelf is moved, supporting links pivoted to the main shelf near its front side and to the cabinet, and a controlling lever pivoted at one end to the main shelf, and at its other end to the inner side of the auxiliary shelf, and having an intermediate fixed fulcrum, the auxiliary shelf being entirely supported by said lever and guided by the roll, rotation of said lever about its fulcrum causing simultaneous movement of the shelves to expose one and conceal the other, substantially as will be described.

Other features of my invention willbe hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is atransverse sectional view of a cabinet embodying my invention with atypewriter in position for use. Fig. 2 isa similar view of the cabinet in condition to be used as a desk or table; and Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the cabinet, partially broken out, the parts being in the position shown in Fig.1.

I have herein shown my invention as applied to a roll-top desk of usual construction, provided with sides A and top B, the operative parts for transforming the desk into a type-writer cabinet being disposed in the usual space between the sides. The desk shelf A is cut away between the sides, from the front rearwardly. A main shelf a. is pivotally supported between the sidesAbylinks a, hinged to its under side and having their bearings in said sides, and one or more controlling levers b, preferably two, are hinged at one end to said main shelf at I), each of the said leversturning on a fixed fulcrum b" preferably secured to the sides of the desk. The levers b are preferably provided with counterbalancing weights w, to counterbalance the weight of the shelf and the typewriter or similar machine 0 supported thereon. When the main shelf is in exposed position for use, as in Figs. 1 and 3, the counterbalances tend to retain said shelf in such position and resist accidental displacement.-

An auxiliary shelf 0 of suitable size and pivoted at its inner side to the levers b at W,

and-entirely supported thereby and is movable over and guided by a guide a preferably a roll, secured to a fixed part of the desk or cabinet, see Figs. 1 and 2, and extended from its sides the said auxiliary shelf having secured thereto in front and at its under side a ledgec adapted to be seated on a rest 01 when said shelf 0 is in the position shown in Fig. 2,the latter at such time completing the shelf A of the desk or cabinet. .A narrow shelf 6 projects over and closes the opening between the auxiliary shelf and the back of the desk.

1 The main shelf a is preferably so mounted that when exposed for use its front end will rest upon the rest d, affordingafirm support, the difference in the height of the planes 0ccupied by the main and auxiliary shelves when exposed being provided for by the proj ecting ledge c on the latter shelf 0.

I have provided a common limiting stop f for either shelf when in its inoperative posishape to fill the space in the desk shelf A is tion, the faces of the stop being suitably beveled, as shown in'Figs. 1 and 2.

A locking device is provided for preventing accidental displacement of the auxiliary shelf 0 when in operative position, herein shown as a cam ledge e on the under side of said shelf, and adapted to bear against the guide roll 0' when the shelf is in operative position.

It will be noticed that by supporting the auxiliary shelf on the controlling lever, and guiding it by the roll, Iam enabled to do away with the usual link which connects the forward side of the shelf to the casing, and I thus not only simplify the mechanism but I permit the auxiliary shelf to be raised to a greater or less extent before being pushed back to raise the main shelf.

lVhen it is desired to bring the main shelf a into operative position the auxiliary shelf 0 is turned about its pivotal connection I) with the lever 12 until the cam c is raised sufliciently to clear the roll, as shown in dotted lines Fig. 2, after which the shelf is pushed rearwardly and downwardly, depressing the connected end of the lever b, which moves along the dotted path 2, Fig. 1, while the end of said lever connected with the main shelf at 1) moves in the opposite direction over path 3, Fig. 1, until the two shelves assume the position shown in said figure, the lower edge of the auxiliary shelfc resting on the stop f, the main shelf a having been moved into substantially horizontal and exposed position, concealing the greater part of the auxiliary shelf.

An inspection of Fig. 2 will make it clear that the auxiliary shelf 0 is withdrawn entirely out of the way when not in use, so that it does not interfere with or obstruct the use of any part of the desk, the back of the desk shelf at the rear of the cut away portion thereof being unobstructed.

When it is desired to use the cabinet as a desk, the shelf 0 is lifted by the operator and at the same time drawn toward the front of the desk, moving over the guide rolls 0', such movement turning levers b on their fulcra, and depressing the back of the main shelf at until it swings on the links a down and back away from the rest 03 to the position shown in Fig. 2, the stop f preventing further movement. At such time the guide rolls 0' have passed behind the locking ledge 0 and the auxiliary shelf a is lowered until the ledge c is seated on the rest d. The cam ledge c effects another object, viz: it insures the elevation of the auxiliary shelf having the ledge a high enough to clear the typewriter. The two arms of the levers b are suitably proportioned to give the desired movements, and said lovers are slightly bent for the same purpose.

It will be seen from an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2, that either shelf when exposed for use conceals or partially conceals the other shelf, and in either condition the space between the desk sides A is only slightly obstructed, and that at the rear part of the space. The links a also by insuring the backward movement of the main shelf as it is being lowered affords ample knee room for the person using the cabinet when the machine is lowered.

I claim-- 1. In a typewriter cabinet, a main and an auxiliary shelf, a common rest for either shell when exposed to be used, an independent guide roll extended from the sides of the cabinet and over which the auxiliary shelf is moved, supporting links pivoted to the main shelf near its front side and to the cabinet, and a controlling lever pivoted at one end to the main shelf, and at its other end to the inner side of the auxiliary shelf, and having an intermediate fixed fulcrum, the auxiliary shelf being entirely supported by said lever and guided by the roll, rotation of said lever aboutits fulcrum causing simultaneous movement of the shelves to expose one and conceal the other, substantially as described.

2. In a typewriter cabinet, a main and an auxiliary shelf, swinging supports pivoted to the cabinet for one and a fixed guide over which the other shelf is moved, a cam ledge on the under side of the auxiliary shelf to engage said guide and prevent accidental displacement of the shelf, when in operative position and controlling levers pivoted at their ends to said shelves respectively and having fixed fulcra,.whereby one or the other may be exposed for use, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing wi nesses.

JOHN R. FREEMAN. "Witnesses:

GEO. W. GREGORY, LAURA S. MANIX. 

